Superintendent Dr. Reppert told the board on Feb. 20 that the district received a Marzano Resources High Reliability Schools Level 1 certification in the category “safe, supportive and collaborative culture.” He said the plaque will be displayed in the boardroom and that the district is the first in Pennsylvania to earn Level 1 certification.

"Safety is our number 1 priority within our school district," Reppert said while recognizing staff and administrators who worked on the certification.

Why it matters: Marzano High Reliability Schools (HRS) recognition signals a district-wide alignment on policies, practices and culture that administrators say supports instruction, safety and student engagement. The certification and related curriculum work form part of the district’s multi-year improvement and accountability work.

Guidance plan and student handbook: District staff presented a revised guidance plan required under Chapter 339 of the Pennsylvania School Code. Staff said the guidance plan was realigned with the district’s comprehensive plan and HRS goals and is a three-year document that outlines school-counseling activities, career readiness and reporting expectations. The board received the plan for information; it is scheduled for a formal vote and submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education in March.

The board also heard a proposal to publish a single student handbook for the 2025–26 school year that will combine elementary, middle and high school policies in one document with level-specific notes where needed. The goal is to simplify sign-offs for families with students in multiple buildings.

Curriculum and textbooks: Staff noted stage 1 master curriculum maps for a range of courses (computer programming, engineering, English and social studies) and recommended novel/textbook adoptions; those curriculum and textbook items were presented as action items and approved by the board during the meeting.

Public comment and context: During public comment, a Shrewsbury Township resident raised concerns about dual enrollment programs and academic rigor; earlier in the meeting the board approved an MOU with Messiah University providing dual-enrollment access at no cost to the district.

What’s next: The chapter 339 guidance plan will return to the board for a March vote before submission to PDE. The consolidated student handbook will be presented in March for board approval in April.